Sunday Baking: A Classic Recipe to Start the Week

There is something deeply comforting about the ritual of baking on a Sunday. The slow gathering of ingredients, the scent of butter and vanilla warming the kitchen, the quiet rhythm of mixing and measuring—baking is a way of letting stress melt away while easing into the week ahead with intention and care.

Sunday baking is not about elaborate pastries or complicated techniques. It is about returning to simple, classic recipes, the ones that have been passed down, the ones that feel familiar yet always special. A well-loved cake, a tray of scones, or a golden loaf of bread fresh from the oven—each one brings warmth to the home and a sense of anticipation for the days ahead.

The Beauty of a Classic Recipe

A truly timeless recipe is one that can be made again and again, with ingredients always found in the pantry and a process that feels effortless yet rewarding. For a Sunday baking tradition, a recipe should be:

• Simple enough to prepare without stress or fuss.
• Comforting and familiar, evoking memories of home.
• Versatile, with variations to suit different moods and occasions.
• A pleasure to share, whether with family, friends, or simply oneself.

A Classic Recipe: Buttery Lemon Tea Cake

This lightly sweet, tender cake is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Fragrant with lemon and rich with butter, it pairs beautifully with tea or coffee and keeps well for days, making it a lovely treat to enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup whole milk

For the glaze (optional):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
9. If using the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake.

The Joy of Sunday Baking

Baking on a Sunday is more than just making something sweet—it is about creating warmth and rhythm in the home. It is about slowing down, engaging the senses, and finding satisfaction in a task both simple and fulfilling. A cake cooling on the counter, a batch of biscuits tucked into a tin, the scent of cinnamon or vanilla lingering in the air—these are the small luxuries that make home feel like home.

Whether baking for a gathering, for family, or just for the quiet pleasure of a well-made treat, the ritual of Sunday baking is one that brings comfort and joy long after the oven has been turned off.

Reminders

• Keep essential baking ingredients stocked in the pantry for effortless weekend baking.
• Invest in a set of well-loved mixing bowls and a sturdy wooden spoon—baking is as much about the tools as the process.
• Experiment with seasonal variations—adding berries in summer, spices in autumn, or a touch of almond extract for a different depth of flavor.
• Share a baked treat with a neighbor or friend—baking is meant to be a gesture of warmth and hospitality.
• Allow time to enjoy the process as much as the final result—baking is a ritual, not a task.

I Am Grateful for Today

1. The scent of lemon and butter filling the kitchen.
2. The quiet joy of baking something from scratch.
3. The pleasure of a warm slice of cake with a cup of tea.

From Our House to Yours,
Mrs. Mayfair